Banana is an important fruit crop of many tropical and subtropical regions of India. It is cultivated in India in an area of 830.5 thousand ha and total production is around 29,779.91 thousand tons. Main banana growing states are Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

World scenario

The global production of banana is around 102028.17 thousand tons of which India contributes 29.19%. Besides India, other major banana producing countries are China, Philippines, Ecuador, Brazil and Indonesia. The table given below shows the major banana producing countries in the world

Major producing countries of Banana in the world (2010)

COUNTRY

AREA
(000'ha)

PRODUCTION
(000' MT)

PRODUCTIVITY
(MT/ha)

%age SHARE IN
WORLD TOTAL
PRODUCTION

India

830.00

29780.00

35.88

29.19

China

373.45

9848.90

26.37

9.65

Philippines

449.61

9101.34

20.24

8.92

Ecuador

215.65

7931.06

36.78

7.77

Brazil

486.99

6962.79

14.30

6.82

Indonesia

101.28

5755.07

56.83

5.64

United Republic of Tanzania

420.00

2924.70

6.96

2.87

Guatemala

63.53

2637.57

41.52

2.59

Mexico

76.93

2103.36

27.34

2.06

Colombia

80.52

2034.34

25.27

1.99

Other Countries

1916.11

22949.05

11.98

22.49

World Total

5014.06

102028.17

20.35

100.00

Source: FAO

India Scenario

It is revealed in the table below that the production of Banana is rapidly increasing year by year, it has been increased by 1477 percent in 2010-11 from 2005-06.

Showing the area production and productivity of Banana in India

YEAR

AREA(000’
ha)

PRODUCTION
(000’MT)

PRODUCTIVITY
(MT/HA)

2005-06

569.5

1887.8

33.2

2006-07

604.0

20998.0

34.8

2007-08

658.0

23823.0

36.2

2008-09

709.0

26217.0

37.0

2009-10

770.3

26469.5

34.4

2010-11

830.0

29780.0

35.9

Source: National Horticulture Board, India

2.

Major Producing States with Production of Last Three Years

Largest area under banana cultivation is in Tamil Nadu state followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states. The details are given below in table.

State-wise Area, Production and Productivity of Banana in India

Area (000’ HA), Production (000’ MT), Productivity (HA/MT)

State

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

Area

Production

Pdy

Area

Production

Pdy

Area

Production

Pdy

Tamilnadu

124.40

6667.00

53.60

113.70

4100%.90

43.80

125.4

8253.00

65.8

Maharashtra

80.00

4960.00

62.00

85.00

5200.00

61.17

82.00

4303.00

52.50

Gujarat

60.90

3571.60

58.70

61.90

3779.80

61.00

64.70

3978.00

61.50

Andhra Pradesh

80.10

2804.00

35.00

80.60

2819.60

35.00

79.30

2774.80

35.00

Karnataka

75.40

1918.80

25.40

104.40

2132.30

20.40

111.80

2281.60

20.40

Madhya Pradesh

28.80

1498.00

51.90

33.00

1459.80

44.20

38.10

1719.60

45.20

Bihar

31.30

1373.60

43.90

31.50

1435.30

45.62

31.90

1517.10

47.60

Uttar Pradesh

N/A

82.73

N/A

30.40

1138.60

37.40

32.40

1346.10

41.50

West Bengal

39.80

954.10

23.90

41.00

982.20

23.90

42.00

1010.10

24.00

Assam

47.90

852.60

17.80

53.40

805.20

15.00

47.60

723.60

15.20

Other States

140.20

1617.40

11.50

135.50

1735.80

12.80

175.30

1873.10

10.70

Total

708.80

26217.20

37.00

770.30

26469.50

34.30

830.50

29779.90

35.80

Source: National Horticulture Board, India

3.

Description of Commercial Banana Varieties

The varietal characteristics of commercially grown Banana varieties is given below:

Variety

Characteristics

Grand Naine

It is most accepted international variety. It is a tall statured plant and a heavy yielder with long cylindrical bunch. On an average it produces a bunch weighing 25 kg and may go up to 32-35 kg, with 8-10 hands with 200-220 fruits/bunch. The length of the fruit is 15-21 cm and girth is 12-13 cm.

Robusta

It is normal statured with black brown blotches on the stem, bunches weigh around 20 kg having 8-10 hands/bunch. The length of the fruit is 15-20 cm and girth is 12 cm with thick fruit skin

Dwarf Cavendish

The plant stature is dwarf. Dark black brown blotches appear all along the stem. Bunches are large with compactly arranged 8-10 hands weighing about 20kg. Length of fruit is 13-14 cm and girth 8-10 cm. Skin is thick and the fruit tapers gradually towards the tip. It is not fit for export.

Red Banana

The plant is tall and robust statured. The colour of the fruit, pseudostem, petiole and midrib is purplish red. The bunch weight is 20-25 kg with 6-7 hands and 80 fruits/bunch. The length of the fruit is 16-18 cm.

Nendran

There is considerable diversity in plant stature. Bunch has 5-6 hands weighing about 6-12 kg. Fruits have a distinct neck with thick green skin turning buff yellow on ripening. Fruits remain starchy even on ripening.

4.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

Replacement of low yielding cultivars like Dwarf Cavendish with high yielding cultivar like Grand Naine.

According to Agmark standards Banana is classified into following classes:

Showing grade designation of banana as per AGMARK standards

Grade
designation

Grade requirements

Grade tolerances

1

2

3

Extra class

Bananas shall be of superior quality. They must be characteristics of the variety and/or commercial type. The fingers must be free of defects, with the exception
of very slight superficial defects, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package.

5% by number or weight of
bananas not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of for Class I grade or, exceptionally, coming
within the tolerances for that class.

Class I

Bananas shall be of good quality. They must be characteristics of the variety and/or commercial type. The following slight defects of the fingers, however, may be allowed, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package. - slight defects in shape and colour;- slight defects due to rubbing and other superficial defects not exceeding 2 sq.cm. of the total surface area The defects must not affect the flesh of the fruit.

10% number or weight of bananas not satisfying the requirements of the grade but meeting those of Class II or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade.

Class II

This includes bananas which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes, but satisfy the minimum requirements. The following defects may be there, provided the bananas retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation.- defects in shape and colour provided the product remains the normal characteristics of bananas;- skin defects due to scrapping, scabs, rubbing, blemishes or other causes not exceeding 4 sq.cm. of the total surface area;The defects must not affect the flesh of the fruit.

10% by number or weight
of bananas not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting the minimum requirements.

PROVISION CONCERNING SIZE

(i). For the purposes of sizing bananas, the length of the fingers is determined along the outside curve from the blossom end to the base of the pedicel where the edible pulp ends and the
diameter is defined as the thickness of a transverse section between the lateral faces. The reference fruit for measurement of the length and grade is:

For hands, the median finger on the outer row of the hand,

For clusters, the finger next to the cut section of the hand, on the outer row of the cluster.

(ii). The minimum length should not be less than 14.0 cm and the minimum grade not less than 2.7 cm.

(iii). For all classes, 10% by number or weight of bananas not satisfying the sizing characteristics, up to a limit of 1 cm for the minimum length of 14 cm.

9.

Packaging & its details

(a) For Export : For packaging bananas, telescopic boxes of 5 ply strength and of the following dimensions need to be used- Telescopic card board fibre boxes and other materials-

Bananas are transported as full bunches in trucks and are ripened at the destination and then
cut into hands and transported in plastic crates.

10.

Distribution of produce from primary to Terminal Market

Banana produced in Southern states namely Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu reaches major markets of Bangalore, Mysore, Chennai, Madurai, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram, and is consumed within southern region.

Banana grown in the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat reaches North India in the markets of Bhopal, Jaipur, Lucknow and Delhi from where it is distributed in northern states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Haryana.

Bananas produced in West Bengal and Orissa is distributed in markets of Patna, Ranchi, Raipur, Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar etc. and is consumed in these states.

The banana grown in North- Eastern states is consumed in this region itself.

11.

Export and export potential

A. Domestic strength for exports

Details of domestic strength of banana are as follows

India is the largest producer of banana in the world.

More than 27% of total banana production takes place in Maharashtra and Gujarat states.

Rainfall and humidity are quite less particularly in Maharashtra and also to some extent in Gujarat state, resulting in lesser incidence of insects, pests and diseases compared to Central and South America and South East Asian countries.

A superior cultivar namely Grand Naine, well accepted in international market is being cultivated in sizeable area in Maharashtra and Gujarat states.

Red banana cultivar which is preferred in some countries can create a market for itself with support of display, campaign etc.

Banana is cultivated in sufficient acreage and in different agro-climatic conditions and thus is in a position to meet the large demands from importing countries on a continuous basis, provided planting and cultivation is well planned.

Transfer of technology is easy as growers have organized themselves by forming cooperatives/ associations and have branded their product as “Mahabanana”.

Agri Export Zone for promoting exports of banana has been established in Maharashtra in Jalgaon area.

Post harvest handling facilities are available at a small scale at Navsari and Borsad in Gujarat state.

Banana Export Facility Center with mechanical handling system has been set up at Saavada in Jalgaon and Basmantnagar in district Hingoli in aharashtra state

Geographically, India is better placed compared to South East Asian, Central and South American countries for exports to Gulf countries.

Special training programmes need to be conducted to give knowledge to farmers about production of export quality banana in Maharashtra.

B. Exports

India is the major exporter of Banana in the world, the country has exported 45,573.24 MT of Banana worth Rs. 9,154.22 Lacs during the year 2011-12. The major destinations of India’s banana were UAE, Saudi Arbia, Iran, Kuwait and Bharain respectively. These countries have imported more than 50 per cent of India’s banana during the period.

Export of Banana for Last Five years

Year

Qty.(MT)

Value (Rs. Lac.)

2007-08

16,662.54

2,607.95

2008-09

30,401.46

5,545.47

2009-10

54,319.24

13,025.45

2010-11

57,539.29

10,232.22

2011-12

45,573.24

9,154.22

Source: DGCIS, India

The detail of the major Importing Countries of India’s Banana given below:

Major Importing countries of India's Banana

Quantity in MT; Value in Rs.Lacs

Country

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

Share in %age

Qty

Value

Qty

Value

Qty

Values

UAE

18644.19

4744.37

11674.24

2774.08

15133.61

3794.21

41.45

Saudi Arabia

9416.18

2426.74

8953.67

2139.77

5013.96

1246.03

13.61

Iran

5203.67

1166.97

9352.00

1957.99

4126.12

950.94

10.39

Kuwait

5551.79

1616.17

5473.75

1213.20

3195.59

717.65

7.84

Bahrain

2890.46

1070.67

10965.05

655.56

2436.68

583.62

6.38

Nepal

6558.52

347.29

5928.58

332.05

9765.99

514.39

5.62

Qatar

2684.23

843.32

1801.78

449.90

2053.14

493.40

5.39

Oman

1977.01

526.21

1537.17

347.38

2228.15

485.05

5.30

Maldives

648.03

104.87

981.29

135.92

912.55

177.98

1.94

Korea Republic

0.02

0.00

0.00

0.00

147.00

46.65

0.51

Other Countries

745.14

178.86

871.78

226.38

560.44

144.30

1.58

Total

54319.24

13025.47

57539.31

10232.23

45573.23

9154.22

100.00

Source: DGCIA

Region-wise Export of India's Banana

Quantity in MT; Value in Rs.Lacs

Region Name

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

Quantity

Value

Quantity

Value

Quantity

Value

WANA

46412.16

12403.08

49964.43

9577.42

34251.85

8284.98

South Asia

7302.00

488.27

6954.80

472.72

10718.23

700.79

NE Asia

20.37

5.72

1.72

0.80

148.45

47.02

EU_27

329.30

48.84

195.37

56.30

159.79

38.77

CIS Countries

0.00

0.00

102.59

23.86

95.23

27.59

Southern Africa

34.03

15.72

60.07

32.41

61.37

21.79

East Asia

41.56

16.11

65.69

10.62

90.30

14.77

ASEAN

64.55

14.30

7.01

0.92

23.48

11.96

Other Regions

115.29

33.42

187.58

57.17

24.54

6.53

Total

54319.26

13025.46

57539.26

10232.22

45573.24

9154.2

C. (i) WANA Countries

As per DGCIS database, more than 90% of India’s Banana were exported to WANA Region of the world during 2011-12. Wana Region import 34,251.85 MT of India’s Banana during the period for the worth of Rs. 8,284.97 Lacs. The major market of India’s Banana in WANA region was UAE, Saudi Arbia, Iran, Kuwait, Baharain and Qatar with 15133.61 tons, 5013.96 tons, 4126.12 tons, 3195.59 tons, 2436.68 tons and 2053.14 tons respectively, during the period.

The major competition of India Banana export in WANA countries were Ecuador, Colombia, Philippines, Yemen and Lebanon. There is no reason why we cannot penetrate more in WANA countries especially in Saudi Arabia, when we have quality Banana, are meeting stringent quality control requirements of importing countries and are offering Banana at competitive prices. Moreover, India location wise is nearer to WANA countries.

(ii) South Asia Countries

South Asia region stood at second position with the import of 10,718.22 MT Banana from India during 2011-12. The major market of India’s banana in South Asia region were Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan with 9765.99 MT, 912.55 MT and 31.57 MT respectively during the period. The region represent only 7.66% share in total Import of India’s Banana during the period. The major competition of India Banana export in South Asia countries were Sri Lanka, UAE, Thailand and Malaysia.

D. Measures for Enhancing Competitiveness for Exports

Countries like Philippines in South East Asia and Ecuador and Costa Rica in Central
America are better organized and have large sized banana plantations owned by International companies. Therefore, to enhance competitiveness, following measures need to be taken for making available quality banana of international standard:

Production technology on modern lines needs to be demonstrated to the growers on a
massive scale.

Farmers need to be educated about export requirements and international quality standards.

Protocol for post harvest handling of Grand Naine, Nendran and Red banana need to be perfected/ standardized for shipping to Gulf countries by sea.

Most modern packhouse facilities need to be created, to begin with in Jalgaon area in Maharashtra and also in Gujarat.

Banana holdings in India are very small and it is not possible to install cable ways for transporting bunches from field to packhouses to avoid bruises. Under these circumstances, groups of farmers need to be encouraged to have system of make shift packhouses, to cut hands from bunches in the field itself and send these hands to central packhouse for further processing /treatment and packing.

It will be advisable to have some working arrangements for ripening of our banana arrivals
in importing countries on a regular basis. In the long run, India need to have its own ripening facilities in one or two countries to begin with.

It is suggested that training to packhouse workers about post harvest handling technology
and also about international quality standards must be imparted.

12.

Storage

Temperature:

13.3-14.4°C

Relative Humidity:.

90-95%.

Storage Period:.

4-6 weeks

13.

Documents required for exports

a). Documents related to goods

Invoice

Packing List

Certificate of origin

b). Documents related to shipment

Mate Receipt

Shipping Bill

Bill of handing

Airway Bill

c). Documents related to Payment

Letter of Credit (L/C)

Bill of Exchange

d). Documents related to quality of goods

Phytosanitary Certificate

GLOBALGAP Certification

Health Certificate

e). Organic Certification

Certificate indicating material produce is based on organic farming.

f). Documents related to Foreign Exchange Regulations

GR Form: Documents required by RBI which assures to RBI that the exporter will realize the proceeds of goods within 180 days from the date of Shipment.

g). Other Document

Bank Realization Certification (BRC): This is the advice given by Foreign Exchange Bank after the realization of money from Importer.